15 December 2017

We’re working with these universities to enrich the educational experience of our students, increase the impact of our researchers and share best practice across institutions.

We’ll be hosting the first YERUN Research Workshop at the Essex Business School on 25 and 26 January 2018, bringing together academics from across the network to facilitate research collaborations in the area of Big Data.

As part of the workshop, we’re organising an open meeting from 12 noon to 1pm on Friday 26 January. This will be a great opportunity to find out more about YERUN and the opportunities that are available for all of our departments.

There will also be time on the afternoon of 25 and morning of 26 January for you to meet with key YERUN staff, discuss potential collaborations, and get some advice and support on how to do this.

If you want to come along to the open meeting, or if you’d like to meet with one of our YERUN colleagues to discuss specific collaborations, please email Benita Ganeva.

Future workshops will be hosted by other members of the network, focussing on Health and Ageing, Digital Humanities, Migration, and STEM.

13 December 2017

Hannah Lamb, Student Engagement Manager, looks at the support available for students

By now most students will have settled into university life and will come home full of tales of their adventures.

But for some, the picture won’t be quite so rosy and they may be questioning their decision to go to university. First year students are the most likely to leave their studies, with the end of the Christmas holidays being a particular pinch point.

It is hardly surprising that some find it tough. New students have so much to contend with, from settling into a new environment and learning to live independently to meeting new people and adapting to a new way of learning. Every day poses new challenges.

A national survey looking at why students leave university early found the top reasons fell into four main categories:

The course or university not matching their expectations.

Difficulty keeping up with the academic pressures.

Homesickness and struggling to integrate socially.

Financial difficulties or managing competing demands.

The good news is help is available for students who are struggling and the support of friends and family is vital. You can provide encouragement and moral support as well as pointing them in the right direction if they need help.

Students are far more likely to succeed if they get involved in university life and engage with their studies. They need to know that having to work hard is normal, and having to work hard doesn’t mean they are stupid.

They should speak to their personal tutor if they are struggling with the course or find it hard to meet assignment deadlines. There is advice online about submitting work late and what to do if there are extenuating circumstances, such as health issues or competing demands, which are affecting their coursework or performance in exams. For those who feel they are on the wrong course or in the wrong place, there is the option to transfer course, transfer university, or both. Find out more online.

Homesickness is also normal, and will probably be accentuated if they are home for a month over Christmas. Getting involved is crucial, but often easier said than done. At Essex there are lots of clubs and societies to join, a packed programme of events – with something to suit everyone and plenty of volunteering opportunities. Do your best to encourage students to take part.

For those with money worries, the Students’ Union provides financial advice. The SU also employs more than 550 staff at Essex – the majority of whom are students. A part-time job is a great way for students to boost their CV and earn money at the same time. The University also runs a Frontrunner placement scheme – giving students the opportunity for paid part-time employment in University departments. Summer placement vacancies will be advertised in March.

Students are not alone at Essex, and if they want to know more about the help and advice available, a good first port of call for any student enquiry is the Student Services Hub.

5 December 2017

Have a look at the photos from our Christmas Carol Service on the Colchester Campus organised by student Thomas Watkiss to bring everyone together to share the season of goodwill, whatever their faith.

Thomas, a student at the Edge Hotel School, wanted to bring as many people as possible together. He said: “It was a truly multi-cultural event. I wanted to create a real community atmosphere and lots of different societies joined in.”

People taking part included the University Show Choir, Redeemed, Chinese Christian Fellowship , JAF – Jesus Alive fellowship, CathSoc and even the Students’ Union President herself, Zoe Garshong

Zoe said: “I believe that the spirit of Christmas is about unity and bringing people from all walks of life together. That’s what the story of the first Christmas illustrates, the wise men and the shepherds coming together from different backgrounds to celebrate.”

Thomas used his degree training in hotel management to ensure the evening ran smoothly, even borrowing a function sheet from Wivenhoe House hotel to double-check he ticked all the boxes, including Elf (Health) and Safety.

“The plan was to have a lot of fun but that takes serious organising. I have used my training, including looking at target markets and food hygiene, to make it a success.

“My studies keep me very busy but this is very important to me so I made sure I was well ahead of myself and could get everything done in plenty of time.

“Everyone I approached wanted to join in and I’ve had tremendous support from the Students’ Union and the University.”

While the majority of students are heading to their families for the holidays, around 500 students don’t go home , but stay on our Colchester and Southend campuses. Every year, our Students’ Union organises a packed programme of activities, including trips to London’s Winter Wonderland and film screenings.

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster hosts his popular Christmas lunch on Thursday 28 December, when about 150 students enjoy a festive get together. On other days students can enjoy days out to winter markets across East Anglia and even a visit to the famous Colchester Zoo.

But before that there was lots of activity to put everyone in the festive spirit. At Colchester, there was a winter fayre on Thursday 8 December and a Christmas carol service on Monday 11 December. Our East 15 Acting School students in Southend started early with an upbeat carol concert in front of the famous Coca-Cola lorry which visited the town centre as part of its pre-Christmas nationwide tour.

While you relax and enjoy the holidays spare a thought for our hotel school students and nursing students who will be working over the break as part of their degree courses.

And what will 2018 bring? If your resolution is to expand your horizons keep an eye out on our what’s on calendar for the THINK! series of talks, designed to make you do just that. The series of thought-provoking Professorial Inaugural Lectures also continues in the new term. Our Students’ Union promises a galaxy of exciting diary dates including free screenings of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

We will be opening our new indoor sport arena at the end of January with lots of new space for activities and matches. We’re also hosting several events open to all during the ever popular Essex Book Festival during March. There’s never a dull moment here at Essex.